Sentencing decisions around quantity thresholds: theory and experiment

0549850 - NHÚ 2022 RIV CZ eng V - Research Report
Drápal, Jakub - Šoltés, Michal
Sentencing decisions around quantity thresholds: theory and experiment.
Prague: CERGE-EI, 2021. 50 s. CERGE-EI Working Paper Series, 715. ISSN 1211-3298
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA19-15077S
EU Projects: European Commission(XE) 678081 - INATTENTION
Institutional support: RVO:67985998 ; RVO:68378122
Keywords : sentencing * quantity threshold * sentencing disparities
OECD category: Applied Economics, Econometrics
https://www.cerge-ei.cz/pdf/wp/Wp715.pdf

We study the implications of the structure of criminal codes on sentencing decisions. To limit sentencing disparities, criminal codes typically divide offenses into subsections with specific sentencing ranges. The classification into corresponding subsections often depends on exceeding a given quantity threshold, such as drug amount. We study the consequences of these quantity thresholds on sentencing decisions and argue that the threshold effect can be decomposed into two opposing mechanisms: the severity mechanism and the reference one. An experiment with Czech prosecutors shows that thresholds drive substantial increases in sentences, leading to sentencing disparities. We further introduce empirical measures of (in)justice and quantify the consequences of quantity thresholds on the probability of imposing a just sentence.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0325750